“Bu.145310 was also one of three Phantom IIs selected to take part in the famous ‘Sageburner’ low altitude world air speed record attempts over a 3km course at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Sadly the first such attempt ended in disaster on May 18th, 1961 when F4H-1F Bu.145316 experienced pitch damper failure. This lead to pilot-induced-oscillations, and due to the aircraft’s enormous speed at the time, these rapid pitch movements immediately overstressed the airframe, which experienced catastrophic structural failure and disintegrated in flight with the loss of her crew, Commander Jack L. Felsman and Ensign Raymond M. Hite, Jr. Undeterred, however, the Navy achieved their goal later that year on August 18th when Lieutenants Huntington Hardisty and Earl De Esch flew F4H-1F Bu.145307 to an average speed of 902.714mph over a 3km closed course…. all at an altitude of less than 125 feet! This aircraft is now part of the National Air & Space Museum’s collection.”

5

Before achieving the Record Low Altitude Speed of 902.714-mph at an altitude of less than 125 feet…Bu.145310 also earned credit for the following feat: convincing both the Navy and the Air Force to use the Phantom II.

“Bu.145310 played a significant role in the development of the Phantom II. She flew first in 1959 and took part in numerous trials for the type. Of particular note, she was first of the breed to be modified with hard points to carry bombs. On April 22nd, 1961 this Phantom carried twenty-two 500lb Mk.83 bombs aloft and dropped them accurately during a demonstration for U.S. Air Force personnel at a bombing range within Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville, North Carolina. It was this successful action which convinced the Air Force to order the type for their own service, and led to the type’s longevity as a tactical fighter bomber, rather than the pure fighter which the Navy had first envisioned.”

In Sept. of 1964, after 461 hours of flight time, she made final flight followed by going on public display at the following locations:
1964-76 Philadelphia
1976-95 The New England Air Museum
1995-2003 Sold “Kal-Aero” San Diego
2003-2017 “Wings & Rotors Air Museum” Murrieta, CA

Since 2003, owner Rich Wall began restoring the aircraft to fly-able condition. His team out of Murrieta, CA has gotten the plane to a point of earning a civil registry (N815WF) but this old bird is still only 80-85% from completely restored to actual flight conditions.

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